With your help, Murray State is bringing the gift of a great education to a new generation of deserving students and taking its place among the finest schools of its kind in the country.
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> An Introduction and Invitation It is my pleasure to invite your participation in a venture of tremendous importance: Hold Thy Banner High: The Campaign for the Students of Murray State University. With an initial goal of $60 million, this campaign is the largest in our University’s history and has the potential to transform Murray State. It will enable us to advance those strategic imperatives to which we have already committed—in addition to those to come. It will allow us to seize many more of the opportunities awaiting us to raise the profile of MSU and broaden its reach. Most important, it will help us better serve our students...now and for the future. Each day, our faculty, staff, and administrators dedicate themselves to the students of Murray State and their ongoing success. Through this campaign, you can join us—and there has never been a more important time to do so. The financial pressures we all face today weigh most heavily on those families Murray State is dedicated to serving, particularly those who depend on scholarship support. It is for this reason that approximately half of all campaign funding will directly benefit scholarships. I am thrilled to launch what will be a record-setting campaign—confident in its success, certain of its impact, and grateful to our many thousands of loyal alumni and friends for the generosity I know they will show.
Dr. Randy J. Dunn President
>Our Mission and Vision
Driven by a mission of public service and educational opportunity, Murray State aspires to a bold vision: We seek to become a national model for value and quality in higher education, providing a growing number of students with access to an excellent university experience, no matter their financial means.
Growing in Excellence
Changing Lives
At Murray State, we believe that our students
Murray State prepares its students for lives
deserve the chance not only to earn a college
of achievement and fulfillment. Whether
degree, but to take advantage of the full range
their dreams take them to destinations close
of transforming experiences a great university
to home or halfway around the world,
education offers—from working closely with
we are committed to providing them with
top faculty, to studying abroad, to conducting
the education they need to succeed—a
undergraduate research. We seek both to
commitment reflected in the proud stories
expand the enriching opportunities we offer
told by generations of past graduates.
and to increase the number of students who can take part. Delivering Value
C a m pa i g n P r i o r i t i e s
Our University has consistently held tuition
tota l g oa l : $ 6 0 m i l l i o n
below the level of our peers and earned
15.8%
recognition from the national media as a
st r at e g i c i n v e stm e n ts $ 9. 5 m i l l i o n
“Best Value” and a “Great School at a Great Price.” We are determined to continue
6.7% at h l e t i c s $4 million
offering superior academic quality and one e xp
en ses of the lowest costs among public universities,
while at the same time expanding financial aid for those families who need it.
...
33.3% ac a d e m i c e xc e l l e n c e $20 million
44.2% st u d e n t Scholarships $26.5 million
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Symbol of Support Made possible by
a generous gift from Jesse D. Jones ’64 and named in honor of his father, the Jesse L. Jones Family Clock Tower stands as a powerful symbol of alumni generosity and its impact. The younger Mr. Jones, who has committed $3.6 million to this campaign, paraphrases the Bible in explaining his philanthropy: “We are reaping from vines we did not tend, sitting in the shade of trees we did not plant. Now the burden is on us to prepare for those who are coming after us.”
Giving Back > Murray State’s alumni have made their mark around the world and are coming together on behalf of their alma mater. From left to right: David Dill, Executive Vice President & COO, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., Nashville, TN; Dr. Art Bauernfeind, Chairman, Westfield Capital Management, Boston, MA; Dr. Gene W. Ray, CEO, GMT Ventures, LLC, La Jolla, CA; Lana Porter, Retired President & CEO, Ameritech Library Services, Chicago, IL; George Long, Partner, Long & Long Attorneys, Benton, KY.
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“ I left Murray State with the confidence that I could take on the world. Now, I’ve decided it’s time to give back.” David Dill ’90 “ This is a chance to help a university that really helped me.” Dr. Art Bauernfeind ’60 “ At Murray, I got the kind of support and assistance to find my direction in life. My education there shaped everything that followed.” Dr. Gene W. Ray ’60 “ I’ve been blessed with success, and when I look back, I see that one of the main reasons is the education I received at Murray State.” Lana Porter ’65, ’72 “ Our alumni are united in support of the University. We’ve all received a good education, and we want to give back.” George Long ’68
>Student
Scholarships Campaign goal: $26.5 million. For generations, Murray State University has embraced the goal of providing an education of the highest quality at a price affordable to our students. Our continued success depends on an unrelenting commitment to cost control and on increased investment in scholarships.
Family Need
Measurable Impact
Recent figures from the financial aid applications
Through this campaign, the University
of Murray State students indicate that their
seeks to secure $26.5 million in endowed
median family income totals $45,100, while
scholarship support, a sum that should
the median net contribution they pay toward
generate more than $1.325 million in annual
the cost of a Murray State education is $5,937.
funding without invading the invested
That’s a 13 percent commitment of household
principal. This yield could allow the University
resources on the part of families with very
to support 100 students with awards covering
little to spare.
the full cost of in-state tuition, fees and housing. Alternatively, it could fund hundreds
Work and Debt
When the financial aid the University can
of partial tuition merit or need-based scholarships each year.
offer falls short of meeting a family’s full need, the result takes the form of accumulated debt upon graduation, employment obligations while enrolled, or both. When employment
f r e e a p p l i c at i o n fo r f e d e r a l st u d e n t a i d ( fa f s a) f i l e r s i n 2 0 0 5 -2 0 0 6
commitments become unreasonable, it can be difficult for students to maintain a healthy
median family income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,100
balance between work and school and to make
median net paid by these families .
. . . . . . .
$5,937
the most of their Murray State experience. All of this combined stresses the importance of scholarships to our students.
This tells us many families are being asked to pay a substantial portion of their annual income to send one child to MSU. Percentage of University We know that other universities are offering thousands more Budget Funded by Appropriation in scholarships to these families.
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Competing Strongly Today, many
institutions with which Murray State competes can offer students many thousands more in scholarship assistance. The unfortunate result is that accepted applicants must often choose between a superior education and their own financial self-interest. By building our scholarship endowment, our aim is to erase this financial obstacle and enroll all the qualified students who would like to attend Murray State, including those most promising candidates sought by other schools.
Expanding Opportunities > A geophysicist who traveled the world in search of oil reserves and worked on behalf of the U.S. Geophysical Corporation and the United Nations, Benson “Bud� Blackie first came to know Murray State through his late wife, Novalee Roberts Blackie, a 1941 graduate. He has established a charitable trust and made other major gifts with two aims: to support academic scholarships, and to provide study abroad opportunities for students like Kate Davidson, an art and German double major, and Sandra Nichole Hunley, who is majoring in international affairs.
“ The chance to study abroad made a world of difference for me. I grew in confidence and assertiveness, and in cultural understanding. I hope more students can have that experience. I think the world would be a better place.” Kate Davidson, senior
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“ Over my career, I had wonderful opportunities to live and work abroad, and I wanted to extend that chance to Murray students. That kind of experience changes their understanding of what’s possible in their lives. It gives them a sense of all the world has to offer them.” Benson “Bud” Blackie
>Academic
Excellence Campaign goal: $20 million. As the University seeks to grow in excellence, private investment is critical. At Murray State, every dollar of tuition, fees, and appropriations from the Commonwealth is budgeted to cover operational expenses—needs ranging from faculty salaries to utilities. The support of our donors allows us to reach further, seizing new opportunities and supporting our students more effectively as they strive to achieve success.
Murray Fund for Excellence
Financial Services Center
{Unrestricted Endowment}
{construction and Endowed Funding}
This fund has supported initiatives ranging from
This new educational laboratory and classroom,
wireless Internet service for the campus to
to be located on the ground floor of the College
Curris Center Theater renovations, to computer
of Business and Public Affairs building, will
lab upgrades. Endowing the fund will provide a
provide the setting for students to gain hands-on
stable source of revenue, enabling the University
experience working with the same live-feed
to meet such needs in the future in a planned
and historic information on bonds, equities,
and timely fashion, maximizing the benefit to
commodities, and currencies used by financial
students. Goal: $2 million
professionals around the world. Campaign support will establish the Center and provide
Undergraduate and Graduate Study Abroad {Endowed Funding}
Today, just 11 percent of graduating Murray
permanent funding for purchase of data feeds. Goal: $1.5 million
State students have experienced study abroad.
Telecommunications Systems
Yet 100 percent will work in a global economy
Management {Program Endowment}
in which such experience can prove invaluable.
The University’s Telecommunications Systems
For many, the obstacle is cost. New funding
Management Program is recognized as a program
will augment families’ contributions, putting
of excellence within Kentucky and as one of the
the life-changing opportunity of study abroad—
top programs of its kind in the nation. New
even for a week or two—within reach of more
endowment funding will help solidify and build on
students. Goal: $2 million
this status, funding broad-based investment. Goal: $1 million
Center for Environmental Studies and Research {Endowed Funding and
Commonwealth Honors Academy
Distinguished Professorship}
{Endowed Funding}
Focusing on the habitats of Western Kentucky’s
The Academy brings high school juniors, roughly
rivers and lakes, this new Center will explore
100 each year, to Murray State to complete
timely issues related to the preservation of
college-level courses tuition-free. An exceptional
natural resources and will open outstanding
educational experience, the program is also an
research opportunities to our students. Donor
outstanding way for the University to reach out
support will provide the financial foundation
to talented prospective students. Endowment
for the Center’s operation. Goal: $1 million
support will expand the number of students served and provide a stable financial foundation. Goal: $1 million
Breathitt Veterinary Center
{Completion and Enhancement}
{Facility Enhancement}
Plans are in place for this 21st century center
This Center focuses on research of enormous
of information resources, and the University
relevance—work essential to the prevention
will seek Commonwealth support for construction.
and treatment of diseases in animals and
Donor investment will provide the books, furnishings,
also to shielding the human population from
and technology that will turn an inspiring structure
possible epidemics and bioterrorism. Campaign
into a state-of-the-art facility for learning and
funding will support the purchase of land and
research. Goal: $2 million
equipment, or depending on levels of state and federal funding, assist with renovations to the
New Science Campus {Completion and Enhancement}
existing facility. Goal: $0.5 million
Murray State has historically excelled in the sciences and continues do so, with one of the highest percentages of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students of any university in Kentucky. Our new science campus, constructed with Commonwealth funding, sets the stage for our continued growth. Donor support will augment public monies, providing equipment, lab materials, and technology. Goal: $2 million
Collegiate Academic Programs
Investment in each of Murray State’s six undergraduate colleges and schools will support the recruitment of excellent new faculty, professional development activities for current faculty, and the creation and expansion of outstanding learning experiences for our students. Goal: $6 million
Research and Laboratory Farm {land and equipment}
This new facility for the School of Agriculture will allow University researchers to expand work in areas of great potential importance to Kentucky’s economy. Donor support will help secure land and advanced equipment. Goal: $1 million
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A Personal Education One of
the strengths of a Murray State education is the level of personal interaction, attention, and support students experience. Our faculty are dedicated to teaching and to their students’ success. They truly care. In many ways, the campaign will allow the University to sustain and build upon this strength—recruiting strong faculty and supporting them in their professional development, maintaining small class sizes, and funding the special opportunities for close collaborative work that stand out as invaluable.
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New academic Library
Investing in the Future > Dr. Howell Clark devoted most of his professional life to the University as a Professor of Chemistry and has continued to give of himself in retirement. He and his wife have established the Howell and Rebecca Clark Chemistry Scholarship. Pictured with the Clarks are two recipients of awards from that Scholarship: Brooke Kieffner-Elrod, a 2007 graduate who is now pursuing a high school chemistry teaching career; and Corey Read, a 2009 graduate who has begun graduate study in chemistry at the University of South Carolina.
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“ We made our gift to the University Foundation to provide a perpetual source of scholarship funding. We hope it will fulfill its purpose. We are quite proud of the students who have already benefited from our scholarship awards.” Dr. Howell Clark ’56 “ The Clarks have made a giant difference in my life. Their scholarship paid for my tuition, and their guidance, friendship, and support have helped me as I’ve started my teaching career. They are wonderful people, and I feel very close to them.” Brooke Keiffner-Elrod ’07
>Athletics Campaign goal: $4 million. Racer athletics is a vital part of what makes Murray State University special. The program stands for excellence. It generates passion and pride that unite the entire University community. And it serves as one of the most effective channels through which Murray State achieves national recognition.
New Basketball and
Facility Enhancement and
Multi-sport Practice Facility
Academic Support for Athletes
New facilities will provide championship caliber
The campaign presents a number of
practice space for basketball and multipurpose
opportunities to support important smaller
space suitable for football, soccer, baseball,
projects benefiting each of our 16 sports.
softball, and all of the University’s 16 NCAA
These include upgrades to playing fields
Division I teams.
and spectator seating and enhancement to
This project ranks as the single most important investment that friends of Murray State athletics can make in the success of the program. Today, our athletes enjoy the advantages of outstanding coaching, strong scholarship support, and exceptional competition venues. The opportunity to strengthen the program lies in our practice facilities. Better practice facilities will not only enhance our athletes’ training experience, but also better position us for success in our recruiting efforts. Goal: $3.5 million
the sports medicine care provided to our athletes. It also includes funding for additional academic support services benefiting student-athletes—services whose value is proven in the fact that Racer athletes achieve even higher average GPAs and graduation rates than the student body as a whole. Goal: $0.5 million
A Winning Tradition The men’s
basketball program stands out as the University’s most well known and successful—recently ranked by ESPN as the 30th most prestigious basketball program in the past 25 years. Ensuring basketball’s continued success and leveraging its strength, exposure, and public recognition will benefit the entire athletic department and the University.
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Empowering > Dreams After arriving on campus with nothing but the suitcase in his hand, Hal Seaton went on to successfully complete his degree, supporting himself with summer work in the steel mills of Gary, Indiana. He later earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri and went on to an accomplished career. Dr. Seaton and his wife recently established the Hal and Jane Seaton Scholarship. Among the first students to benefit is Elizabeth Holbrook, pictured with the Seatons, an applied mathematics major from Livermore, KY.
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“ Like so many Murray students, I was the first in my family to attend college. In fact, I was the first person from my entire high school to do so. I arrived at Murray completely unprepared and found all the support I could have hoped for. I have attained things I never dreamed of, and I want to give that chance to students today.” Dr. Hal Seaton ’62 “ The scholarships I’ve received have meant a great deal to me. They allow me to focus on my schoolwork without taking on a job during the school year or building up an enormous amount of debt. I’m so grateful to the Seatons and the University’s other donors who have helped me.” Elizabeth Holbrook
>Strategic
Investments Campaign goal: $9.5 million. The campaign offers donors the chance to have an impact on Murray State and those it serves through gifts at a range of sizes and for a variety of purposes. Opportunities extend from leadership commitments in support of the College of Business and Public Affairs and the Regional Special Events Center, to the many smaller gifts key to a healthy Annual Fund. College of Business and Public Affairs
Annual Fund {Ongoing Support}
{Investment in, and Naming of the College}
With support from a large and growing number
As the success of our graduates attests, Murray
of our alumni and friends, the Annual Fund
State’s College of Business and Public Affairs
makes possible vital investment in student
prepares its students to thrive and lead in this
scholarships, technology and equipment,
rapidly evolving world. New donor investment
and in varied learning opportunities—from
will help the College do so even more effectively.
conducting undergraduate research projects,
Specific goals include support of faculty,
to attending professional conferences to present
scholarships, and educational programs. An
the results. The University seeks $2.5 million
exceptional opportunity is also available to
in Annual Fund gifts over the course of the
name the College, thereby both investing
campaign. Building Annual Fund participation
substantially in its progress and also bringing
will establish momentum that will help sustain
it a new degree of prestige and recognition.
the University’s progress well after completion
Goal: $3.5 million
of the campaign. Goal: $2.5 million
Regional Special Events Center {Investment in, and Naming of the Facility}
The Regional Special Events Center stands as one of the most visible means through which Murray State enhances the lives of people in our region. Providing an outstanding venue for athletic and entertainment events, it attracts visitors from across the population of 560,000 people who live within 60 miles of campus. A $3.5 million investment will secure naming rights and provide for necessary upgrades to the facility that will enhance its appeal as an event destination. Goal: $3.5 million
The Gift of a Great Education Murray
State welcomes students from 41 states, 45 countries, and an enormous variety of backgrounds. Despite their diversity, these 10,000 individuals are a group united in several ways. Relatively few come from families of privilege. Most prove themselves to be serious and hardworking students. Nearly all graduate with the confidence to make their way successfully in the world—as one proud alumnus put it, “going head-to-head with the best.”
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>Making
Your Gift As we look to the future, it is with a commitment to build upon our University’s proud past. Murray State’s leadership is dedicated to extending and strengthening the tradition of educational quality and opportunity that has meant so much to so many people. To succeed, we need your help.
Joining a Shared Effort
Making Your Commitment
In recent years, the University has benefited
The University welcomes gifts in many sizes
from strong, broad-based, and growing
and forms—from those made outright, to those
support in the form of private gifts. By making
payable over several years and those planned
your commitment to Hold Thy Banner High:
as part of estates. To discuss the form your
the Campaign for the Students of Murray State
gift might take and the priorities it will support,
University, you will join with fellow alumni
please contact our development staff.
and friends and with many faculty and staff members, parents, and graduating seniors in sustaining this remarkable momentum.
office of development
Murray State University {270} 809-3001
Providing a Margin of Excellence
{877} 282-0033
In states across the nation, leading institutions
www.murraystate.edu/campaign
have proven the power that private support can have in advancing the mission of public universities—and this has been true at Murray State as well. By augmenting Commonwealth dollars with private funding, our donors help
D ec l i n i n g A p p r o p r i at i o n s : A F i v e -Y e a r R e v i e w o f Co m m o n w e a lt h A p p r o p r i at i o n s to M u r r ay Stat e
the University achieve a level of excellence and affordability that would be impossible
54.48%
through either public or private funding alone.
51.67%
$56.069
As appropriations from the Commonwealth of Kentucky continue to trend downward,
$54.954
$55.279
50.57%
47.69% 46.83%
the impact of support from our alumni and friends becomes more important than ever.
$52.943 $51.884
’05-06
’06-07
’07-08
’08-09
’09-10
As state funding has trended downward, the support of private donors has played an increasing role in sustaining the University’s health and progress. state appropriation to msu in millions Percentage of University Budget Funded by Appropriation
Kelsh Wilson Design www.kelshwilson.com
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www.murraystate.edu/campaign
Murray State University Office of Development 106 Development Center Murray, Kentucky 42071 phone {270} 809-3001
{877} 282-0033 fax {270} 809-3436